Associate Director of Employer Relations

Job Responsibilities

• Cultivate and manage a portfolio of employer partnerships across all employment sectors to expand access to internships, full-time roles, and career experiences for Rhodes students across the country.
• Conduct regular travel to priority markets, informed by student career interests and labor market data, to meet with recruiters, alumni, and industry professionals.
• Plan and execute high-impact visits with precise communication and follow-up strategies.
• Leverage alumni networks, faculty insights, and industry research to identify new opportunities and maintain long-term partnerships.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of employer partners, developing and providing customized recruitment strategies and solutions that advance employer hiring goals, enhance student career readiness and employment outcomes, and support the College’s strategic priorities.
• Maintain consistent communication through Handshake: track engagement, document career opportunities, manage job and internship postings, events, and student communication.
• Respond to all recruitment inquiries and coordinate with appropriate CCPD team members to effectively match employer’s needs with opportunity pipelines.
• Design employer engagement opportunities that align with institutional goals and employer priorities.
• Recruit and steward employer and industry partners to participate in programs and events, ensuring alignment with student career interests, academic priorities, and recruiting needs.
• Lead the coordination and execution of on-campus recruiting events, such as Career Fairs, Graduate School Fairs, and industry specific recruiting programs, collaborating with CCPD colleagues and academic units to ensure employer programs and initiatives support and enhance student career opportunities and professional networks.
• Use labor market data, student interest trends, and engagement metrics to inform outreach strategy and employer relationship development.
• Participate in professional development and contribute to team-wide strategic planning and innovation efforts.
• Share insight with faculty and staff to inform advising/coaching, programming, and curricular alignment.
• Stay informed on recruiting practices and skill demands across all employment sectors to support career preparation and success.

Job Requirements

• Master’s degree required.
• 5 years of experience in career services, workforce development, university relations & recruiting, or similar fields required.
• Demonstrated success in networking, relationship management, and/or business development.
• Strong understanding of both local and national recruiting and hiring trends in higher education.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Collaborative mindset with experience working across academic and administrative units.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office required.
• Experience working with an online career management platform required; Handshake experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to work independently, travel regularly, and represent Rhodes College with professionalism.
• This position requires a valid driver's license, a good driving record, and must be insurable by the College's insurance carrier.
• Travel locally and out of town travel up to 20% is required.
• Some evening and weekend work is required.

Benefits

• 403 (b) Retirement
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Vacation Time (23 days)
• Sick Time (12 days)
• Paid Holidays (21 days)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Long-Term & Short-Term Disability
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Tuition Remission